Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, July 27, 1995 TAG: 9507270083
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
If she picks up any more ground, she might win the title.
Pittman, playing out of Roanoke Country Club, matched par Wednesday with a 72 at Hanging Rock and moved one stroke behind first-round leader and four-time champion Dot Bolling of Hidden Valley.
``I've never been in this position before,'' said Pittman, who has been playing in the tournament since the early 1980s. ``I've never even been in contention.
``I like being in contention. I want to be in contention. It makes the game more interesting.''
Bolling had an uneventful round that included 15 pars en route to a 73 and a two-day total of 149. Kathy Hull of Hidden Valley was in third place, at 152, following a 74.
``Three shots behind anybody isn't much at Roanoke Country Club,'' said Hull, who would be closer to the lead if not for the 77 putts she has taken through two rounds. ``If we were going to Blue Hills or some of the other courses, it might be tougher to catch Dot.''
Roanoke is listed at 5,570 yards for women, compared with Hanging Rock's 4,463.
``It's going to be a lot different,'' Bolling said. ``Not just longer, [but] the greens will be a lot faster, too.''
It was only the second time many of the golfers could remember playing a tournament round at Hanging Rock. Indeed, several had a hard time remembering where they had made birdies because the order of the holes has changed on several occasions.
``I've never played here much at all,'' Pittman said. ``One of the rounds of the Hall of Fame [tournament] was here a couple of years ago, but we played in the pouring rain and I remember having a terrible score.
``I came here a couple of weeks ago and played a really good practice round. I took some good notes and decided you don't have to hit many drivers unless you get greedy. I never thought I'd come in here today and shoot 72, though.''
Pittman saw her game rounding into form last week at the Virginia Women's Amateur in Hot Springs and said she has been able to play more golf this spring and summer than at any time in the past five years.
Pittman is owner of Halifax Fine Furnishings, a business that requires her attention for 30 or more hours some weeks but gives her some flexibility in scheduling.
``It's just such a relief playing these courses after you've been to the Upper Cascades,'' said Pittman, referring to the top 100-ranked courses that serves as host for the state amateur.
Pittman went looking for some Pepto-Bismol tablets after the round, but figured that had more to do with the temperature than any competition-induced heat.
``I think I handle my nerves pretty well,'' she said, ``but that doesn't mean I won't be shaking like a leaf on the first tee [today].''
by CNB